I saw a video clip of Simon Sinek recently called “The Rise of Selfishness”1. He talked about how in the 1970s companies started signing up for the theory that says companies are in business to maximize profit, that is, to make money. This in turn led to prioritizing the shareholder over the employee and over the customer in the 80s and 90s.

What struck me about his message was his statement that it took us “30 years to get to where we are now and it’s going to take 20 to 30 years to unwind it.”

That’s when I realized.

I realized my entire career has been experienced in this time of shareholder first, everyone else … well, who cares. I expect layoffs. Everyone I know who works for any sizeable organization expects layoffs. Maybe once a year, maybe every quarter. Maybe random Thursdays throughout the year.

Sinek’s statement that “it’s going to take 20 to 30 years to unwind it” sparked some hope in me that it doesn’t have to be like this forever. And it sparked a thought in me that we can do even better than two or three decades.

It starts with all of us. It starts with the people who, like me, spent adulthood in this era and haven’t experienced any other way but in our hearts know there is a better way. It starts with the people who don’t want to have the next generation and the generation after that distrust the leadership at their company, always wondering if they’ll be next to be let go so the books look better to the shareholders.

Not every organization operates in this way today, but there are not enough of them to employ all of us.

Help me connect with senior managers and executives who can make a difference in their organizations. People who have played the game but know, even if they can’t admit it out loud to their peers, that there’s a better way. A way where people are respected as people, where we are not referred to as “resources, human”. Where leaders share their values and walk their talk. Where we trust one another.

Being profitable and respecting people for their unique skills, talents, and experience, are not mutually exclusive. Lots of companies have shown that they can be profitable and treat people well, leading to win-win. We have the examples – now we have to get more people on board.

engineer your life

  • If you’re in an organization where you know there’s room for improvement, do your best to be a good role model. It’s catchy!
  • If you’re in an organization where team members and customers/clients are first, (and the company still does well), make sure you take note of what they are doing, and what you are doing. Share with friends! Get the word out that there is a better way.

reference

1Simon Sinek, “The Rise of Selfishness”, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WiHu4ZVQ9Jw, accessed November 2, 2020